Romans Part 41

In Romans 15:8, Paul confirms that Jesus Christ came to benefit the Gentiles as well as those of the seed of Abraham.  He quotes prophecies recorded in Psalms, Deuteronomy and Isaiah that specifically reference Gentiles as recipients of the blessings.  

Prophecy is evidence that God's Word is true. Scripture is filled with prophecy: roughly a third of the Bible is prophetic. Fulfilled prophecy demonstrates God's faithfulness, while unfulfilled prophecy points us to the future while giving us encouragement and hope as we wait for God's promises to be completed. Paul now uses fulfilled prophecy to demonstrate that God's plan has always included the Gentiles.

Verses 8–9 explain that Christ became a servant to confirm the promises made to the fathers and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy. This is significant because, historically, the Gentiles had been estranged from God. Israel had been given God's law, His covenants, His worship, and His promises, while the Gentile nations had not been given the same access to the knowledge of God. But Scripture had repeatedly foretold that this would change.

In verses 9–12, Paul strings together several Old Testament passages to prove the point. The God who had revealed Himself to Israel would eventually reveal Himself to the Gentiles as well. He specifically states that the opening to the Gentiles would come through the Messiah. That is exactly what happened. After Jesus Christ came, the New Testament Church began carrying the gospel beyond Israel, and Gentiles began being called into God's covenant. By the time Paul wrote Romans, this prophecy was already visibly being fulfilled in the Roman congregation itself, a church consisting of both Jews and Gentiles.

Paul's argument is therefore much larger than simply explaining why Gentiles were now part of the Church. He is demonstrating the truthfulness of God's entire plan through fulfilled prophecy. Chapters 9–11 have already shown that God's mercy will ultimately reach beyond the present calling of the Church. Unbelieving Israel has not been permanently rejected, and God's plan ultimately extends to all mankind. The inclusion of the Gentiles was another step in that much greater plan.

Verse 13 brings us back to the wonderful theme of hope. Paul refers to God as the God of endurance and encouragement, and now He calls Him “the God of hope.” When we understand the entire plan of God, the calling of the Church now, the return of Christ, the Kingdom of God, and God's eventual offer of salvation to all mankind, there is an extraordinary hope before us. God's Spirit gives us the power to live faithfully today while confidently anticipating what He will accomplish tomorrow.

In verse 14, Paul demonstrates a remarkable attitude toward the Roman Christians. Though he was an apostle and had authority to teach them, he did not look down on them or assume they were spiritually incapable. He was confident that they were full of goodness, filled with knowledge, and able to admonish one another. That confidence ultimately rested on God's Spirit working in them. Christianity is not intended to be lived in isolation. God's Spirit works through relationships within the Body, including the willingness to lovingly correct and hold one another accountable. If we simply ignore serious wrongdoing among God's people because we do not want an uncomfortable conversation, we are not fulfilling our responsibility toward one another. Paul gives a much stronger example of this in 1 Corinthians 5.

Verses 15–16 return to Paul's own ministry. The word “minister” means one who serves or provides assistance. Paul's ministry was fundamentally to preach and teach the gospel, and he understood his work as serving God's purpose in bringing the Gentiles to Him. When Paul speaks of the “offering of the Gentiles,” he is not talking primarily about something the Gentiles themselves are giving. Rather, he sees the Gentiles who have been called and transformed as an offering being presented to God, a vital part of the people who will ultimately belong to Christ.

And once again Paul emphasizes that they are sanctified by the Holy Spirit. To be sanctified means to be set apart, to be made holy, special, and dedicated to God's purpose. God's people are not called because they were already worthy. God calls and sets them apart. But remaining faithful in that calling requires continuing faith and obedience. God's grace initiates the relationship, and our faithful obedience demonstrates that we are remaining in it.

UYA Team | uya@ucg.org  

United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.